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Welcome to The Lealman Voice

Welcome to the Lealman Voice, your go-to source for all things happening in our vibrant neighborhood! We're here to amplify the heartbeat of our community by sharing upcoming events, latest news, and stories that matter most to you. Whether it's a local gathering, community initiative, or noteworthy achievement, we want to hear from you. Together, let's celebrate the spirit of Lealman and keep our neighborhood thriving. Share your news with us, and let's make our voices heard!
 

Ray Neri Park Closure Updates:

PARK CLOSURE/CONSTRUCTION:

"At this time the park will be open with limited availability during the Summer of 2024-Winter 2026. Signs will be posted during the renovation to let public know the areas that will be closed."

Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources

Pinellas: Annual Update of Local Mitigation Strategy plan complete

Hazard plan identifies potential local hazards and sets goals to reduce risk

Participation in program enhances public safety, reduces damage to property and public infrastructure, and supports a resilient Pinellas.

Public can view the plan and annual reports and provide feedback at www.pinellaslms.org

Pinellas County and most of its municipal partners participate in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). Submittal of this annual report to the Board of County Commissioners is a program requirement.

Pinellas County, its municipal partners and other stakeholders have updated this year’s Pinellas County Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS). The LMS is updated annually according to criteria set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM). County governments and municipalities are required to participate to be eligible for federal hazard mitigation grants.

Sew Pinellas Fashion Design & Cosplay summer camps now enrolling

Lealman’s first and only sewing incubator is now enrolling for its 2024 summer camps.

Sew Pinellas, a sewing incubator that opened at the end of 2023, aims to empower people with all ages with the skills and resources to make and mend their own clothing. Founder and owner Jennifer Fairbanks was born and raised in Pinellas County, studied fashion design and has a background in intimate apparel. You can read our past profile on Sew Pinellas here.

Fairbanks began hosting introductory sewing classes in December. Her facility on Haines Road offers access to equipment, mentorship and training for anyone who wants to learn to sew.

This summer, Sew Pinellas will offer an exclusive series of fashion design and cosplay camps for young enthusiasts aged 8-18. Spanning two exciting weeks each, these camps are designed to ignite creativity and passion in the worlds of fashion and cosplay.

“I started the camps so I can spend time with my daughter doing something I know she will love doing,” Fairbanks told the Lealman Voice. “The fashion design camps will encompass everything from sketching and sewing to draping and designing. The costume and cosplay camps will bring their character to life, from planning the look to building accessories and everything in between.”

Fairbanks added that while camps are designed around a two-week curriculum, she does plan to allow a select number of weekly signups for those needing a shorter camp.

“The two types of camps cover completely different skill sets but will offer a unique camp experience for everyone,” she added. “Both camps teach sewing with other crafts mixed in with the curriculum.”

Each camp is limited to 12 students, ensuring personalized attention and a nurturing learning environment. Learn more about the camps and register online by clicking here.

Fairbanks is also offering a discount for readers of the Lealman Voice. Use the online coupon code LEALMAN2WEEK for $100 off a two-week camp or LEALMAN1WEEK for $50 off a one-week camp. If you have any questions about the camps or discount codes, call Sew Pinellas at (727) 344-9640 or email hello@sewpinellas.com.

The Shop & Coffee House thrives in Lealman

Word is starting to spread about a “hidden gem” in Lealman.

“People are still finding us, because every day, somebody new comes in,” said Sherill Hope. She and her daughter, Lee McMorrow, own and operate The Shop & Coffee House on Haines Rd N., which just celebrated its first year anniversary.

The Shop & Coffee House is a vintage market, local art shop, and espresso and smoothie bar, offering a little something for everyone. Hope and McMorrow first tested the concept in Pasadena, hosting a pop-up version as a trial run for a future full-time business.

“A gentleman let us come in and have the front of his store, so we set up with the vintage antiques and a few vendors that we knew,” Hope explained “It turned out to work very well with the coffee shop, the smoothies and shopping. The combination worked great, so we decided we would like to do this ourselves. “

The mother-daughter duo chose their current spot in Lealman because of its size, affordable rent and proximity to other local businesses.

“It was in an area that did not have other coffee shops, which was important to us,” Hope said. “We knew there wouldn't be any foot traffic, so it's been all word of mouth. We've had really good reviews, which we're very proud of.”

In addition to making specialty coffee drinks and fresh smoothies, The Shop & Coffee House serves baked goods and light bites. The owners recently added more seating inside, hoping to encourage customers to take their time, stay awhile and enjoy themselves.

“We wanted a place that people can come and just sit and be comfortable, which we do have a number of regulars that come,” said Hope. “Sometimes people just come in because they know they can pick up a gift or shop and then end up having a coffee, or vice versa. I don't think we would be making it if we did just the shop or just the coffee.”

Shopping enthusiasts can peruse new and vintage goods from more than 30 local vendors and artists, including a clothing line and home goods brand created by McMorrow herself. Hope said some of their biggest sellers are vintage mid-century modern furniture, a style that’s making a comeback in current home design trends. They also see younger people coming to shop the vintage goods, giving the secondhand items a new life.

The Shop & Coffee House is especially active on social media, often posting new items and sales on their Facebook page. Hope said she and her daughter are optimistic that their passion-project-turned-business will continue to thrive in Lealman.

“We have noticed the changes that are happening,” Hope said. “That's another reason why we ended up here, because we could see that it's going to grow.”

My Safe Florida Home to accept applications in July with new rules

The popular My Safe Florida Home program is gearing up to accept applications from homeowners starting July 1, with several new regulations in place.

The program, renowned for providing grants of up to $10,000 to facilitate storm-related improvements and repairs aimed at reducing insurance costs, will receive a substantial boost of $200 million.

Under the updated guidelines, applicants will be categorized by the program and assigned specific application periods as follows:

• July 1-15: Low-income homeowners aged 60 and above.
• July 16-30: Low-income homeowners of any age.
• July 31-August 14: Moderate-income homeowners aged 60 and above.
• August 15-30: Moderate-income homeowners of any age.
• August 31: All other eligible Florida homeowners.

The changes aim to streamline the application process and ensure equitable distribution of funds.

https://mysafeflhome.com/

Summer Camp Roundup

Summer camp options abound!

Hispanic Outreach offers a small free camp with a waitlist, while AmSkills Robotics Camp has available spots at $100 per week, with scholarships up for grabs. PAL offers a full summer experience for just $500, but hurry—the waitlist is filling up fast! YMCA boasts a variety of camps with ample availability at around $170 per week. LANFC is currently full but has a waitlist, they also offers scholarships to make their $45 camp fee more accessible to all!"

Explore nature at Pinellas County Parks' camps at Booker Creek & Weedon Island. Dive into creativity with Sew Pinellas' Fashion Design & Cosplay Summer Camps. For educational, motivational, and fun experiences, check out the affordable summer camps and programs hosted by St. Petersburg College and community partners. Get outside, get creative, and get learning this summer!

Elder Fraud in Florida

Elder fraud has inflicted significant financial losses on Floridians, with reports revealing losses nearing $300 million in the previous year alone.

Amid Florida's substantial population of senior citizens, who often fall prey to scammers due to perceived vulnerabilities, instances of elder fraud have proliferated. Scams can manifest through phone calls, emails, and fraudulent investment schemes, targeting older adults to deceive them into surrendering their savings.

The $300 million figure, as per reports, encompasses not only direct financial losses suffered by elderly individuals but also broader economic ramifications, including law enforcement resources expended on investigations.

Efforts to combat elder fraud in Florida involve preventive measures and law enforcement initiatives. Organizations and agencies dedicated to protecting seniors from financial exploitation prioritize education and awareness campaigns to empower older adults to recognize and avoid scams. Additionally, law enforcement collaborates with financial institutions and community groups to identify and prosecute perpetrators.

In light of these challenges, it's essential for elder residents to be vigilant and take proactive steps to protect themselves from fraud. Here are some tips:

• Be Skeptical: Exercise caution when receiving unsolicited phone calls, emails, or messages requesting personal or financial information. Verify the legitimacy of the sender before responding.
• Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common scams targeting seniors and learn how to recognize warning signs. Knowledge is a powerful defense against fraud.
• Protect Personal Information: Never share sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords with unknown individuals or entities.
• Verify Requests: Before making any financial transactions or investments, verify the legitimacy of the opportunity and seek advice from trusted family members, friends, or financial advisors.
• Stay Updated: Keep software and security systems on electronic devices up to date to protect against cyber threats and identity theft.

Despite these proactive measures, elder fraud remains a significant challenge, exacerbated by evolving tactics used by scammers and the growing reliance on technology for communication and financial transactions.

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